Students in the biology/pre-health degree partnership between National Park College (NPC) and Southern Arkansas University (SAU) presented original research at the SAU College of Science and Engineering Undergraduate Research Conference earlier this month.
Connor McCain, Tanaya Miller, and Kaydence Pleasants, all students in the final cohort of the NPC-SAU partnership program, shared a poster presentation on a research project they began earlier this semester under the supervision of NPC biology faculty member Dr. Alex Barnard. Their work focuses on conservation efforts for Arkansas’ state butterfly, the Diana fritillary (Argynnis diana), a species threatened by habitat loss across the southeastern United States.
This spring, the students enhanced the pollinator garden outside NPC’s Lab Science building by adding larval habitat, including common blue violets (Viola sororia), leaf litter and twigs. These additions support the butterfly’s full life cycle by providing egg-laying sites and food for caterpillars, complementing the existing nectar sources for adult butterflies.
The next phase of their project involves testing the effectiveness of violets as a sustainable alternative to traditional wood mulch. The students will collect data throughout the summer on how three violet species affect soil temperature, moisture, pH, and nutrient levels. The goal is to determine whether violets can serve as a low-maintenance, ecologically-beneficial groundcover that supports native wildlife.
Dr. Barnard praised the students’ efforts and the support from the SAU faculty. “This was the second time I’ve attended their Undergraduate Research Conference with students, and the first time the students on our campus presented. Attending a conference like this is a valuable experience for students to see what their peers at other institutions are involved in. They got a lot of helpful feedback and thoughtful questions from faculty and other students who stopped to look at the poster and learn about the project.”
“I was very impressed with all the amazing people and research topics there,” said Pleasants. “Watching other people go about their presentations and getting questions we’d never thought about allowed us to learn so much more about our research. I'm glad to have had the opportunity to present at SAU.”
Miller added, “There were so many people from all different scientific studies: Biology, physics, engineering, wildlife, etc., and so many different cultures. It was fascinating to get to chat with a few people and see the different things they were doing. I felt very accepted; it was a good experience. It's comforting to know that in a professional science environment you and where you come from are hardly judged, it's about your work.”
McCain described the event as “an astounding learning experience,” noting the variety of student projects and talent on display.
